Engraved Belgium Browning Superposed 12 Ga. Gauge Over / Under O/U Shotgun IM/F – 1952 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,900
Make: 
Browning (Belgium) 
Model: Superposed (Field) 
Serial Number: 32174 
Year of Manufacture: 1952 
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 ¾” Shells 
Action Type: Over/Under, Single Selective Trigger with Ejectors 
Markings: The top left side of the upper barrel is marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE : HERSTAL – BELGIQUE”. The left side of the upper barrel has a Crown over ELG”, “12 70” inside a “C” and “*”. The left side of the lower barrel is marked Crown over “ELG”, “12 70” inside a “C”, “*-“ and “32174”. The underside of the lower barrel is marked with a sideways “A”, then “183”. The chamber flat is marked “5”, an underlined “Y”, “2” in a somewhat squared “U”, a sideways “D”, an upside down “2” and “N / N” between the rear lugs. The forward forearm locking lever is marked “174F5” and the rear hinged tab of the forearm is marked “2174”. The water table has a Lion over “PV” on the left side and a Star over “L” and the Le Perron on the right side. Under the barrel opening lever, the top tang is marked “32174”. There is a silver colored pheasant on the left side of the receiver and a silver colored waterfowl on the right side of the receiver. There is scrolling on the bottom of the receiver and forearm hardware which goes on to surround the pheasant and duck. There is also scrolling on the sides of the top barrel where it mates with receiver. 
Barrel Length: 28” 
Choke: The lower barrel is marked for Improved Modified and the upper for Full choke. 
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a brass bead front sight on a ventilated rib. 
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered walnut with the round knob butt stock. There are a few light handling and compression marks, but no notable chips or scratches. The right side of the forearm has an about 4” crack along the barrel towards the rear. The piece is not loose and ought to be repairable. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the stock “BrowninG” marked butt plate. The drop at the comb is about 1 5/8” and about 2 ¼” at the heel. The stock has cast for a left-handed shooter. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition. 
Type of Finish: Blue 
Finish Originality: All Original 
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion. 
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light handling marks. This shotgun has been maintained and stored well. The screw heads are sharp and still aligned. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Fine to Excellent condition. 
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. 
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None 
Our Assessment: This is a high grade Belgian Browning Superposed 12 gauge in excellent condition. It has almost full coverage scroll engraving with silver colored pheasant and waterfowl figures in relief on the sides of the receiver. It is old enough to have the “Y” shaped top tang and the round knob. This may well have been a special order, with the degree and choice of embellishment and with the stock having cast that favors a left-handed shooter. It is choked and stocked as a field gun, but if it saw much use those fields must have been very well-groomed.

Engraved Belgium Browning Superposed 12 Ga. Gauge Over  / Under O/U Shotgun IM/F - 1952 C&R
Engraved Belgium Browning Superposed 12 Ga. Gauge Over / Under O/U Shotgun IM/F – 1952 C&R